Project

Souvenir Slings

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Introduction

Camp chairs with sling seats are ideal for lounging by the sea, especially when they have been updated with beach-worthy prints. For this project, we backed a vintage state tablecloth with sturdy canvas. You can embellish a sling with a similarly printed fabric or, if the seat is badly worn, follow our how-tos to create one from scratch.

materials

Vintage state tablecloth

Sturdy canvas

Enamel spray paint

Sandpaper

Sewing kit

Iron

steps

Start by removing the old seat, then lightly sand the frame, and apply 2 coats of enamel spray paint; let dry completely.

Using the original seat as a template, cut 2 pieces of canvas that are 6 inches longer and 1 inch wider. Cut the tablecloth to the same width and length.

Align the tablecloth, right side up, on one of the pieces of canvas; turn top and bottom ends of the tablecloth only 1/2 inch to give it a finished edge; machine-sew tablecloth to canvas along the folded edges.

Place the second piece of canvas on top so the tablecloth is sandwiched between them. Sew along their long sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Turn right side out; topstitch along long sides, 1/2 inch from edges (this will keep the material flat).

Turn short ends of fabric over 1/2 inch, and crease with an iron; turn ends over another 2 1/2 inches, pin, and stitch to create channels for the chair's dowels.